Another first day

Ch.8.Night.Mares.

"Your presence is requested in the Colonel's office. Please follow me." I scramble up quickly, wondering what the hell the Colonel could want with us this late in the evening, pulling my new shoes up over my feet quickly, eyes falling on Leon as he struggles so slip on his second sneaker, hopping on one foot before defeatedly sitting down on the bed to yank it over his heel.

The man walks off wordlessly, leading us down the hall and out the door, not bothering to hold it as he continues on his way, effectively ignoring us as we follow along across the field, up a hill and into the administrative building, which is quite posh compared to the dreary barracks, with red carpet floors and dark, ornate wood walls. Down a small hall is the Colonel's office, which I've only been to once before, when we first arrived, briefly meeting our boss, who was friendly, unlike the more threatening people we were stuck with in the weeks before our arrival.

"Hello, take a seat, you two." He motions to the two leather chairs in front of his desk, quietly thanking the man who delivered us before dismissing him. We sit down, and he comes to stand between us, leaning back on his desk with an easy smile. "It seems you two have been reported by a superior officer already." He seems amused, his tone light, his eyes flicking back and forth between Leon and I. "I believe it was an intimate act? You were caught together this morning, yes?"

"We were sleeping, that's all, sir." My voice is quiet, embarrassed, though we really didn't do anything wrong, not yet at least.

"Look at me when you speak, recruit. You'll be my equal someday, yes?" I nod lightly, not completely sure if that's the answer he wants, but he gives a nod of his own, smile widening when I meet his eyes. "That's better. You know, I really expect big things from the two of you, you're the only two who haven't given up after being assigned Dennis. Your third member showed up earlier, he's quite fond of you, sugar." He jokingly uses one of Chris' pet names, laughing loudly as he slaps his hands down over his thighs. "Came barreling in here, telling me about "That lunatic not knowin' how to treat a lady". You look better than I imagined, though, for what it's worth." He's chatty, settling back into his desk with a chipper smile, and I furrow my brows, still unsure what we're even doing here.

"Sir, what's the problem here?" My eyes widen as Leon's bluntness, but a boisterous laugh from the man in front of us eases my nerves, making it obvious he doesn't really give a shit.

"Listen, I don't give a damn what you two do behind closed doors, but it is against regulation, so I'll tell you this. Don't get caught doing anything unsavory again, otherwise I'll be forced to employ some punishment against you, and trust me, I don't want to do that, you both seem like good kids." He holds his hands up, shrugging and raising his eyebrows. "Deal?"

"Yes, sir." Our replies are synced, and Colonel laughs, standing up and waving us up out of our chairs.

"Well, you two are already turning into soldiers. Alright, get going, you're going to need some serious rest before tomorrow, Dennis was madder than I've ever seen him when he came in earlier." He sounds amused at the thought of us getting beat for a second day, but I don't comment, content with being let off the hook for our fake offense.

The door is slammed behind us, making me jump, and Leon laughs as we head back down the hall. I'm happy to no longer have a man leading us, now we can speak freely.

"Looks like there'll be no more sleepovers, huh?" He is not amused, eyes peeking at me with a flat expression as he opens the heavy door, groaning quietly as he presses the arm to the wood, muscles in his arm straining against the movement.

"Yeah, guess not." The walk back to the barracks is quiet, both our moods soured now that we're sleeping on our own, which most likely will not turn out well. I slept peacefully last night, but I'm not sure how much rest I'll be getting with the threat of waking up covered in sweat and shaking looming over me. Leon holds the door for me, following me inside and to my door, coming in to collect his jacket from my bedside table.